Blog
Dr Hayley’s musings of what it truly means to be human and take care of yourself while navigating the entrepreneurial journey.
I took somewhat of a windy road to get where I am today. I did not achieve well at school and left early. I certainly don’t look back fondly at that time in my life, and I don’t relate to the saying “Your school years are the best of your life” at all. They were not my best years, and I most certainly was not my best self, although I was the best self I could be at the time. I know that now.
There’s a story behind my logo and I’d like to share it with you. When I was trying to decide on a logo, I knew the business name I would use, which at the time was Quinntessential Psychology (yes I’m a former clinical psychologist), a nice play on my name with a good meaning behind it too.
When I brought my baby home it felt daunting, overwhelming and such a huge responsibility. Would I be a good parent? Would I do what was right for this beautiful little human? Was I ready to be a caretaker of another life? People were ready with advice, often helpful and at times not asked for or welcomed. There were 1000s of books espousing how I should raise my child, and parenting classes I could attend. If he were born today there would be online forums abounding.
On a flight interstate, I once again realised the importance of welcoming and trusting my compassionate self. I had woken at 5am with a headache and feeling rather nauseous. My initial thought was “No way, I can’t be feeling like this”, my mind wanted reality to be other than what it was. My husband and I were heading away for a few days to see some dear friends.
Once upon a time there was a woman who liked chocolate, no she didn’t just like chocolate she loved chocolate and she made sure she ate some regularly. It tasted so good as it melted in her mouth, it always brought a smile to her face.
What happened when I decided to have some professional photos taken? A local photographer, Mel Watt Photography was doing a promotion for International Women’s Day. I reached out to Mel and booked in a session. My main motivation at the time was to support another woman in business, something that is high on my list of priorities.
How often do we live our lives according to other people’s rules. It can be so easy to go through life responding to old beliefs, society’s messages, other people’s wants. This time of year can be particularly stressful and difficult for people for many reasons. Amongst them there seems to be so much pressure to buy the right gift, prepare the right food, decorate the right way! So how about this year, you do what you want.